Mustang Motorsport

850-1000hp ON TAP

Mustang Motorsport is now offering the Signature series Super Snake editions of the iconic Shelby GT500 with an eye-watering 850 horses from its supercharged powerplant. Those of you who must have the biggest and wildest can take that out to 1000.

According to Managing Director Craig Dean, "The Super Snake is built on a standard GT500, then taken to Shelby American.

"The base model of the Super Snake can actually be a 662hp car, if you want, giving you an entry-level.

"Then you can go for the big banger and put a Shelby Whipple or Kenny Bell 3.6 litre water-cooled supercharger on it. Added to that are electronic upgrades and a switch to a premium Borla exhaust for a much more throaty exhaust note.

"You also have suspension upgrades – there are a variety of options."

One of them is for the suspension: lower the stock system for a more aggressive stance, or switch to a full Eibach race system. Dean says, "They handle quite well anyway, so a lot of customers keep the stock suspension. My race car has the same suspension that I’ve been running in it for some time. I’ve recently swapped it out to develop some new race systems."

Dean’s Mustang is a regular on the Targa circuit, scoring podium finishes.

The 20x9 and 20x11 front/rear wheel package is unique to the Super Snake, while the brakes also get an upgrade. Dinnerplate-sized 14-inch rotors host six-piston Wilwood calipers all round.

The cars all score a carbon-fibre fit out and there are some options on the interior to personalise the car. Dean has gone for a unique, licensed, interior upgrade which he says lifts the feel of the cabin.

If you really want to go to town on the chassis, you have the option of a Watts link arrangement in two materials: standard mild steel or a billet style which is a bit lighter.

"The only other difference in the specification, because of a legality, is we have to change the side A-pillar pod gauge to a dash pod," says Dean.

A total of 500 Super Snakes are planned for each year model, with the USA production making up about half that figure.

Mustang Motorsport can also retrofit any existing car. "If you want to bring in any of the 2007 Shelbys to 2014," says Dean, "We can give you a Super Snake signature package."

The car shown here is a new 2013-14 model, with the complete 850hp conversion.

KNOW YOUR SHELBY MUSTANG

The first series was built by Shelby American in 1965-67. There have been numerous generations and variants since that time. Early cars are now very valuable and their provenance should be carefully checked with sources such as Shelby registers.